Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

6 Medical Emergencies

Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack Just like a heart attack, a stroke occurs when brain tissue, in this case brain tissue, is cut off from the flow of oxygenated blood. Although a stroke can be caused by a hemorrhage (bleeding) or an embolism in the brain, the most common cause, like a heart attack, is ischemia due to plaque buildup and a blood clot that becomes lodged in an artery of the brain. Sometimes a clot will temporarily become lodged in an artery of the brain before dissolving in the blood stream. This will temporarily produce the same signs and symptoms of a stroke but will usually resolve itself within a few hours. Similar to a heart attack, a severe stroke can cause death while less severe strokes can cause brain damage and permanent physical disability. Immediate medical care is needed to minimize any damage.

First Aider in Action: Part 1 You are sitting in the park with a friend when you hear a girl call out for help. Looking, you see a woman lying on the ground with a young girl standing over her. Approaching the scene, you identify yourself as a first aider and ask what’s wrong. The girl tells you that her aunt suddenly grabbed her head with both hands, fell down, and began ‘shaking all over.’ The patient, named Emily is a woman in her thirties, is unconscious. Her breathing seems normal. She looks slightly pale and her skin is dry. She is wearing a medical alert bracelet for epilepsy. What questions can you ask the woman’s niece? What first aid is indicated at this time?

173

www.preohs.com